Erma Bell Lakes

The Erma Bell Lakes loop is a wonderful 8.5 mile loop, popular with hikers and horseback riders, and it features 6 spectacular mountain lakes, as well as a waterfall in the heart of the Waldo Lake Wilderness.

(Erma Bell Lakes hike in mid- November)

The trail starts at Skookum campground and right away you see a sign with a few different hiking trail options. Whichever hike you pick you must first hike .6 miles until you come to the Otter Lake and Erma Bell Lakes junction. If you take a left here you will have a chance to see Otter Lake and then make another split to Irish Mountain. If you want to do the Erma Bell Lakes loop, continue on to the right. ​For the next 1.1 miles you will be going slightly uphill through second-growth forest until you come to beautiful Lower Erma Bell Lake. ​

(Lower Erma Bell Lake)

​Lower Erma Bell Lake has a very rocky shore with large boulders, which makes for a quite unappealing beach. Lower and Middle Erma Bell Lakes are connected by a stream. As it gets closer to Lower Erma Bell Lakes it forms to a roaring waterfall which you can hear from the trail. A short jaunt down a small path will lead you to a slightly tree obscured view of the falls.

From Lower Erma Bell Lake to Middle Erma Bell Lake it is only .4 mile. There are a few spots here where you can set up a tent and camp since this beach is not nearly as rocky.

(Middle Erma Bell Lake)

(Upper Erma Bell Lake)

From Middle to Upper Erma Bell Lake it is .7 miles, and you will have to follow a small path to your right to get to the Upper Lake. This lake is a bit more secluded than the first two. Here the fish are literally jumping out of the water. Fishing is allowed here with an Oregon fishing license. Upper Erma Bell Lake is absolutely wonderful and its shoreline is very pleasant with plenty of logs to sit on, and space to camp if you are inclined to do so.

About .5 mile from Upper Erma Bell Lake, you will see a split in the trail. If you are backpacking you could go to the right on the Judy Lake trail and check out Mud Lake, Edna Lake and the Taylor Burn cabin, but this will add significant mileage to your hike, so if you are a day hiker, it is not recommend this. Stay to your left to complete the Erma Bell Lakes loop.

After another mile, it does get a bit confusing it is easy to end up going the wrong way. You will see a trail junction, where the trail you are on continues straight and another trail goes to the left. If you have crossed a creek, you have missed this trail junction. A sign that says Erma Bell Lakes trail continues straight, which is what most people would assume to do. But this is NOT how you finish the loop. You must go left and within a few feet of stepping foot onto this new trail you will see a sign that says Williams Lake trail.

(Williams Lake)

After walking through some marshy areas, the terrain dries out significantly and becomes very rocky where only lodgepole pines and beargrass seem to want to grow. Within .4 mile of the trail junction, you will see Williams Lake. This lake is spectacular and there are many great spots to camp here as well.

After walking through some marshy areas, the terrain dries out significantly and becomes very rocky where only lodge pole pines and bear grass seem to want to grow. Within .4 miles of the trail junction, you will see Williams Lake. This lake is spectacular and there are many great spots to camp here as well. After checking out the glassy waters of Williams Lake, you will make your way up and over a small hill, hiking through sparse lodge pole pine forest, and even crossing a creek. During the summer/fall months, this creek should be no problem to cross. During the spring, it can be quite roaring and you might have to use a log farther upstream to cross. The trek from Williams to Otter Lake is 2.7 miles. Otter Lake is also quite stunning, with a larger area to camp among big trees that shade the lake shore. Otter Lake offers hundreds of lily pads that do flower with yellow and white blooms in mid-July.

(Otter Lake)

Overall, this hike is easy and whether you’re day hiking, camping or doing a backpacking loop, there is so much to see in this area. The terrain of the trail is in part rocky, but often it is smooth well compacted ground. There aren't any areas where there is a steep cliff, where you would have to watch your footing and be really careful. This trail is definitely very well maintained. During the peak season it does get cleared of blowdowns.

Approximate hike time: 4 hours Suggested seasons: Late spring, summer, early fallTrail usage: ​Moderate​Directions: 5 miles East of Blue River on McKenzie Hwy 126, take the Cougar Reservoir turnoff and continue on Aufderheide Rd. 19 for 25.6 miles. After seeing the Box Canyon guard station on the left, turn left onto Rd. 1957 for 3.6 miles to its end at Skookum Campground.​You will need your Annual Northwest Forest Pass, or pay $5 for parking if you don't have one.

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*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer

*Disclaimer: the trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.